Donald M. Nelson, age 54, died on Saturday, January 10, 2009 at his home following a one year battle with ALS. He was born in Madison on May 7, 1954, the son of the late Melvin and Verle (VanDerhoef) Nelson. He graduated from Sun Prairie High School in 1972. Don was united in marriage to Nancy Schey on June 26, 1976. He was employed at Diesel Injection Service, becoming a co-owner. In 2001 he sold his part of the business and moved to Merrimac to pursue a life dream of farming, establishing Owls Head Ranch and enjoying Lake Wisconsin. Don was a Merrimac Village Board member and a board member of North Central Highland Cattle Association. He is survived by his wife, Nancy of Merrimac; two daughters, Kaitlin (Peter) Bailen of Appleton and Kyia (Michael) Meyer of Prairie du Sac; two brothers, Harold (Darlene) Nelson and David (Shirley) Nelson; three sisters, Barbara (Frank) Parpart, Karen (Carlos) Madrigal, and Linda (Gary) Jensen; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Eugene and Dorothy Schey of Sun Prairie; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Kara. Funeral services will be held at ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, 100 Oak St., Prairie du Sac, at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 15, 2009 with Pastor Joel Bradtke officiating. Friends may call at the church from 3:00 p.m. until the time of service. Memorials may be given to the family for a fund to be established at a later date.

God saw he was getting tired and a cure was not to be, so He put His arms around him and whispered "come with Me". With tearful eyes we watched him suffer and saw him fade away. Although we loved him dearly, we could not make him stay. A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands to rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us He only takes the best.